Teemu Selanne, 42, is officially returning for a 20th NHL season. He and the Anaheim Ducks agreed on a one-year, $4.5 contract.

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“I still feel I can play at a high level,” Selanne said, according to a Thursday team release. “As I always say, this is my happy place and I can’t wait to get back on the ice in front of our great fans.”

When he announced last July that he'd return for 2011-12, Selanne joked that his middle name was "one more."

The Ducks had a disastrous start to the season that led to coach Randy Carlyle's dismissal, but Selanne still managed to lead the team in points with 66. He was also third in goals with 26, trailing Corey Perry (37) and Bobby Ryan (31), both about a decade-and-a-half younger. Only Gordie Howe scored more points as a 41-year-old.

Basically, he's still awesome.

“While I’m still amazed by his speed and skill level, it’s Teemu’s love for the game and his teammates that make him so special,” GM Bob Murray said. “Anaheim is where he belongs.”

Toward the end of the season, Selanne said he was in no rush to decide.

“I’m not going to think about it before the season is over and then give it a couple weeks and get a feel from there,” he said.

“There are so many highs and lows during the season. I have to feel the situation.”

Murray had consistently said that he wanted Selanne to return and that the 10-time All-Star was free to make his decision on his terms. Now, he's back for sure, adding that while he's contemplated retirement every year since Anaheim's Cup win in 2007, he feels better now than he did last summer.

"Our team, we want to win again, so that was a part of my decision, too," Selanne told reporters after the announcement. "I truly believe we have all the pieces. We obviously have some unfinished business from last year, and I can't wait to start the season again."

The Ducks gave him a raise from last season's $4 million deal, although it's not about money at this point for Selanne. He has a comfortable life in Orange County with his wife and four children, who have always encouraged him to keep playing.

"I think we're all enjoying this moment right now, and my boys are happy," Selanne said. "My family has been so supportive. It's another season, and they're so excited about it."

Selanne's teammates also were thrilled to hear the news, with Ryan tweeting: "That ageless wonder number 8 still doing it for one more year! What a beauty to be around. He's not bad either!"

Devante Smith-Pelly, Selanne's 20-year-old teammate, was even more succinct: "One more year! One more year!"